Nigerian Man Arrested in US Over Alleged Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud, Money Laundering
A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Adetunji Abudu, has been arrested in the United States over an alleged multi-million-dollar fraud and money-laundering scheme, years after leaving the country following an FBI search of his residence.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, Abudu, who is from Lagos, was arrested at Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, while attempting to enter the country from Istanbul, Turkey.
He is one of six defendants named in an expanded indictment alleging a conspiracy through which millions of dollars were obtained from victims and transferred through American bank accounts and businesses.
Investigators said the alleged operation originated in Nigeria and involved several types of fraud, particularly targeting elderly Americans.
The schemes reportedly included online romance scams, fake sweepstakes, fraudulent rental advertisements and sham online shipping transactions, through which victims were allegedly deceived into handing over money.
The indictment further alleged that proceeds from the schemes were moved through bank accounts and businesses in Rhode Island, Idaho and other locations across the United States to conceal their origins and facilitate transfers.
A significant portion of the money was allegedly sent to Nigeria. Investigators also alleged that members of the conspiracy used proceeds from the schemes to purchase vehicles that were subsequently shipped overseas.
The US Attorney’s Office said Abudu left the United States for Nigeria in 2019 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted a court-authorised search of his residence in North Providence, Rhode Island.
He remained outside the country until his recent arrest at Logan International Airport.
Meanwhile, five other defendants linked to the case have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. They were identified as Dotun Olawale Alonge, Oluwaseyi Akintol, Samson Ikotun, Olabode Shaba and Oladipup Shodipu.
Following their guilty pleas, the five men received prison sentences ranging from time served to 42 months’ imprisonment.
The investigation involved the FBI, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service and police departments in Tallmadge, Ohio, and Moscow, Idaho.
Assistant US Attorney John P. McAdams is handling the prosecution.
Although Abudu has been arrested, the charges against him remain allegations, and his guilt has not been established in court.
The US Attorney’s Office emphasised that an indictment is not proof of guilt and that Abudu is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the charges against him beyond a reasonable doubt.
His arrest marks a new development in the investigation into the alleged fraud and money-laundering network, as the legal proceedings continue.
Nigerian Man Arrested in US Over Alleged Multi-Million-Dollar Fraud, Money Laundering